People with autism have trouble with communication. They have difficulty understanding what other people think and feel. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of difficulty in functioning because of these challenges varies between individuals with autism.”

The good news is that people with autism commonly have significant strengths and abilities, including the following, identified by Altogether Autism:

• Learning to read at a very early age (known as hyperlexia).
• Memorizing and learning information quickly.
• Thinking and learning in a visual way.
• Thinking in a logical way.
• Excelling (if able) in academic areas such as science, engineering and mathematics (often due to little reliance on social interaction).
• Having an extraordinarily good memory (being able to remember facts for a long period of time).
• Being precise and detail oriented.
• Having exceptional honesty and reliability.
• Being dependable in regard to schedules and routines.
• Having an excellent sense of direction.
• Being punctual.
• Heartily adhering to rules.
• Concentrating for long periods of time when motivated.
• Striving for perfection and order.
• Using alternate problem solving (not favoring one approach to a problem over another).
• Maintaining a rare freshness and sense of wonderment.

This short film by writer and director Pablo Herrera Trujillo, as described by video platform vimeo, looks through the leading character’s perspective at “her daily struggles, coping mechanisms, and the importance of understanding and acceptance. It introduces other autistic children, highlighting the diversity within the spectrum. The narrative sheds light on challenges faced in mainstream schools, such as bullying and exclusion, emphasising the need for support and understanding and encouraging viewers to embrace neurodiversity and create environments where all individuals can thrive.”

Can hiring people with autism be advantageous? Most certainly. Some individuals with ASD are particularly well-suited for certain tasks, often excelling at them. Check out our previous article on this subject: Working with People with Autism Is a Good Idea.

Featured image by Tara Winstead from Pexels